How to include the traditional parts of a best man’s wedding speech

Tick off our handy checklist of wedding speech essentials

As best man and with a (hopefully) witty, amusing, moving speech to give at the wedding, you will no doubt have already consulted our guides to everything from choosing the best material for your speech, to how to get your delivery right, what toasts to say and what props to use.

You might also have consulted our handy book, ‘The best man’s speech and duties’.

Before you finally sit down with pen and paper to write your speech though, (and no matter how wacky you hope the rest of your speech will be), just make sure you have read through this quick guide to all the traditional bits that you will be expected to include in your best man’s wedding speech:

Traditional bits to include in your best man’s wedding speech:

• Introduce all the other speakers
  As well as the Father of the bride, you might find there are lots of people who want to stand up and say their bit on the day, so unless you have a toastmaster handy, you will need to introduce them before they speak.

Just say something like, “Ladies and gentleman, I give you the …Father of the bride.” The usual order of people giving speeches at a wedding is the Father of the bride first, then the groom, then the bride and whoever else might want to say a few words and last but not least, you – the best man.

• Read out messages from any friends or family who couldn’t be there on the day.
• Thank the organizers
• Say a few words about the bride and particularly the groom
  Check out our guide to choosing the best material for your speech, or copy our great best man’s wedding speech.
• Finally, propose a toast to the happy couple
  You can copy our suggestions of wedding toasts if you get stuck.